Author Archives: Paul Harris

About Paul Harris

Pastor Harris retired from congregational ministry after 40 years in office on 31 December 2023. He is now devoting himself to being a husband, father, and grandfather. He still thinks cenobitic monasticism is overrated and cave dwelling under.

Grace Bible Church – Seeking Soft Hearts with Wrong Theology

               I attended a bilingual service of Grace Bible Church, Bryan, Texas on 1-2-2022. In summary, the contemporary songs, though repetitious ad nauseum, were far better theology than what was preached. Unlike other non-denom churches, these folks did actually sing. … Continue reading

Posted in Contemporary Worship | Leave a comment

Blighted Thinking

(This was originally published by Christian News in 2021 and Life Issues February 2022 (https://lutheransforlife.org/?s=blighted.)

Posted in Families | Leave a comment

From Fox News – Thousands of churches raise alarm about scope of new Canadian ‘conversion therapy’ ban

            This was the title of an email recently sent to me. It was based on a Fox News headline of January 16, 2022 which said in part, “An initiative begun by Liberty Coalition Canada and promulgated in the United … Continue reading

Posted in For Anyone who dares | Leave a comment

The Truth About Grief – And Why It Won’t Matter

The Truth About Grief came on my radar in 2012. The book is an exposé of the myth perpetuated in the name of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. I first heard about it, I think, on NPR. It is well-researched and well-reasoned, and will … Continue reading

Posted in For Anyone who dares, For Pastors Only | Leave a comment

Effeminacy and the Liturgy – Part II

This was first posted here on July 27, 2009, but I’m doing more than emphasizing. I’ve added more thoughts and documentation.

Posted in Contemporary Worship, Missouri Megatrends | Leave a comment

Great Book Cheaply Bound

               Concordia Publishing House published the book (Dis)ordered: Lies about Human Nature and the Truth that sets us Free. This will upset many. The last point I record him as making does me. But overall Rev. Esget is that guy … Continue reading

Posted in Families, Missouri Megatrends | Leave a comment

From Synod, to Corporation, to Bodily Function, to a Typo

               It starts with the synod not being a church. Congregational polity rules the day. Then the Synod incorporates and must function as one. Synodical president, District presidents, and even Circuit Counselors – oops now visitors – as officers of … Continue reading

Posted in Ablaze, LCMS 2007 Convention, Missouri Megatrends | Leave a comment

Danger – Close

(This is sermon I wrote in 1994. I had the secretary retype it in this format because if I did it, I would edit as I go. And I wanted you to hear it as I wrote it almost 30 … Continue reading

Posted in Families | Leave a comment

Buy This Book

            In 1971 Abbie Hoffman’s book titled Steal This Book was published. It was a call and guide to “fighting against the man.” When I came to Trinity, Austin in 1999, Gene Veith’s Spirituality of the Cross was all the … Continue reading

Posted in Blast from the Past | Leave a comment

An Open Letter to Helen Andrews

This is another letter from the trashcan. This was about an article on pornography where the author placed blame squarely on Baby Boomers. I disagreed.

Posted in Families, For Anyone who dares | Leave a comment